Toy manufacturers sometimes have to think creatively when it comes to licensed properties. Lets say you run a company that produces toy cars. If you’re lucky, the character you are working with already has a vehicle strongly associated with them (cough cough Batmobile cough) However, if you get stuck with someone like the Hulk, well, you may have to work a little harder.
Marvel characters have had their fair share of off-the-wall offerings. One of the best-known has to be the Amazing Spider-Car. Pitched to Mego by none other than Stan Lee, its an interesting case. Predating Jim Shooter’s involvement with Mattel on the SECRET WARS line by almost a decade, it illustrates Marvel Comics long-term commitment to getting their characters into toy stores.
Unlike some of the more fanciful creations in this article, Spider-Man’s “buggy” (ugh) was actually part of comics continuity.
First appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man #130, it appeared off and on for 30 issues until finally driving off into obscurity. It featured a giant “Spider-Signal” style spotlight, as well as web shooters, seat ejector switches, and a camouflage mode that allowed it to be hidden in plain sight. The Mego version has… a net.
Movin’ on…
Ah, the Captain Americar. It looks pretty lame these days, but when I was a kid this thing was highly coveted. I was completely sold on it based on the shield/battering ram/hood ornament thing — it seemed like such a no-brainer to me. Of course Captain America would drive around in this. It’s so him. I mean, he’s not jogging to the scene of the crime, so he may as well get there in style, and nothing says style like vacu-formed blue plastic and paper stickers bearing your name.
When Cap wants to hang with the Shriners he tools around in this. Tin toys are weird — they’re too far removed from my time as a collector. Sure, I dig the aesthetic — it’s cool — but these have never really been played with in my lifetime. Something like this would be kept in a glass case, more a curiosity than a toy, which limits it’s appeal. Still, I appreciate this toy. Check out the crisp lithographed images of Cap’s pals on the side — that’s a nice really gesture and shows that Cap is a better person than you or I will ever be. You disagree? Well, I don’t see you drivin’ around with pictures of your friend’s faces painted on the side of your car.
And then there’s this. After losing Bucky to one, you’d think Cap would be a little reticent to go anywhere near an experimental rocket again, but Ol’ Winghead was apparently more than happy to strap himself in. I’m guessing jealousy over Spider-Man’s helicopter was a powerful motivator. Now, lets not get into the physics of steering a rocket — I’m a little more concerned about how exposed our hero is. I get that you have a giant head and all, but once that thing hits a certain speed you’re gonna wish you’d installed a windshield — or at least a really strong safety belt for when you eventually stop.
Not weird enough? Then about about Captain Marvel’s sweet ride? Why waste your cosmic power when you can get where you’re going with a few bucks of unleaded? You can see how Marv ended up with that classic hairstyle — drivin’ with the top down all day will do that for ya. Unlike Cap A’s roller skate, this vehicle is at least stylish and period-specific — those lighting bolts on the sides scream ’70s funk. I’d say he’s driving it to impress the chicks, but it’s a one-seater. Unless they’re riding in the trunk, Marv will be alone on the silk sheets of the water bed tonight.
Nothing unusual about this one. I just had to throw it in because it’s fantastic. Issued in 1978, this incredibly-rare Flamin’ Stunt Cycle was a friction-powered bike with a difference. It came with an attached rider, which was not uncommon. What was uncommon was that it was a Ghost Rider! At the time GR was a pretty minor character. Sure, he had his own book back then, but he mostly kept to the shadows of the Marvel Universe. To get a figure of such an oddball back then just didn’t happen, but the fact that it did and that the toy came with an alternate Johnny Blaze head makes this a grail item for many vintage collectors. I actually had this guy briefly in the summer of 1980 — wish I’d managed to hang on to him!
I got hit by a car over this one. Yep, it’s true — 8-year-old me was so rabid for this hunk of metal and plastic I walked right into oncoming traffic on my way to buy it. Fortunately the car that stuck me was starting from a dead stop and moving fairly slowly, but still, it was enough to give me a good bump. The guy in the car yelled at me and drove off, which is really wild to think about now — these days there would be a court case!
Anyway, the Spider-Copter. This thing rules, end of story. The metallic blue paint, the creepy spider-leg landing gear, the rocket booster — oh yeah, let’s not forget the freaking WEB-ROTER! This little detail just killed me. It looked edgy, for lack of a better word. This wasn’t Mego’s soft-corners take on our hero — you can imagine this thing slicing Doc Ock to pieces! It made the Batcopter look like crap, that’s for sure.
Because the Hulk was such a popular character he received his fair share of vehicles — all of which are pathetic transparent cash-grabs that everyone involved should feel deep shame over. I mean, look at this. What the Hell is this even supposed to be?
The phrase “Hulk-Explorer” was badly chosen, to say the least. It sounds like something Betty Ross keeps in her nightstand. And look at poor Hulk — he’s terrified! This thing is moving and there’s nothing for him to hold on to! If his little sled there stops short he’s gonna be singin’ soprano for a week! Never mind that these are just leftover Micronaut parts Mego packaged in a desperate attempt to stave off the wolves at the door — there’s no excuse for this — although the little head shot of him on the bumper is pretty choice.
Next on our hit parade, Hulk’s convertible! And so he can ride in the HOV lane, he’s picked up a friend. Then again, from his posture I’m thinking Tony is stinking drunk and has called Hulk up at 3:00 a.m. to get a ride home. “Hulk so sick of this — Tin Man never even give Hulk gas money!”
Finally – this. Yes, when you think heroics, think a white pedo van with “The Hulk” dubiously painted on the side. Seriously, can you see this thing cruising the neighborhood without a cop car instantly pulling it over? It screams stranger-danger and bad touch!
“Hey, kid, you wanna meet the Hulk?”
“Sure!”
“Well, just climb up into this windowless van…”
NEXT WEEK: PART TWO!